Emotiva UPA-2 arrived today!

[KEW]

Ok the preamp stopped cutting out frequently and I did have the volume up at about 65%, I would never want it any louder...

However it did cut out at low (30%) volume once after about an hour of listening.... (so the problem seems less but not solved)

I will try to get my brother to find the manual for me...or perhaps Ill contact Arcam.

Are you using the new CD player? Is the problem continuing?
I'm really reaching here (beyond what I can consider my experience/knowledge-base), but as a long shot...
I have a Marantz receiver which has a red "Peak" light that comes on if the input signal is too strong for the pre-amp unit. The manual says I need to engage the attenuation (20dB reduction, I think) function to ensure no problems with overloading the pre-amp. So, my wild-ashed guess is that you may be doing this when you feed from the CD player. Your pre-amp may go into a protection mode when this happens. Try turning the cd volume up to 100%. If this SWAG is correct, it should shut off quickly, and turning down the cd to ~40% and cranking the pre-amp should work without problems. For this situation, the pre-amp volume setting wouldn't matter - only the cd volume setting would matter.

The other option is to "reboot" the pre-amp. Usually there is some way to reset the pre to the original default settings (which are chosen to result in the least likelihood of the pre being returned because it didn't appear to work properly).

On the screws, It sounds like the rust is peppered across the surface? I was at first thinking it might be where a bit engaged it and marred the coating.
If so, it is possible that the screws were a poorly coated. Because of the greater load on the woofer, it would be normal to use longer screws for the woofer than for the tweeter, so that would explain how one set might rust while the other didn't.

Just some more thoughts, and guaranteed to be worth every bit of what you paid for them!

 

[mibson]

Great ideas! Ill try the cd/volume test you suggested.

I am now using a regular sony cd/dvd player and the problem persists.

The arcam preamp even shuts off sometimes with no music playing, and the cd player power off!?

I have contacted arcam for help.

 

[mibson]

UPA-2 is working GREAT PROBLEM SOLVED?

In the UPA-2 manual it says "dont use a power bar" , I didnt think this could be a serious issue....

I had my UPA-2 and Preamp(Arcam) attached to separate powerbars...then plugged into different wall outlets...

I removed the two powerbars and used two short extension cords instead, I have not had my Arcam shut off since then.

the UPA-2 is working GREAT! I love my speaker sound, I had to disable the back tweeter for the sound I wanted....but in a large room with clasical music, I can see ths tweeter being prudent.

Ive had inlaws visiting since the day I got my speakers, so Ive had limited listening time; I need to have more time to be certain I have everthing working right...

 

[KEW]

In the UPA-2 manual it says "dont use a power bar" , I didnt think this could be a serious issue....

I had my UPA-2 and Preamp(Arcam) attached to separate powerbars...then plugged into different wall outlets...

I need to have more time to be certain I have everthing working right...

I hope it is that easy. If not, it is probably going to require a repair to your Arcam, there goes your budget and you'll have to figure out how much you're willing to pay for repair vs a $350 USP-1.

 

[JerryLove]

I hope it is that easy. If not, it is probably going to require a repair to your Arcam, there goes your budget and you'll have to figure out how much you're willing to pay for repair vs a $350 USP-1.

A device to use as a 2-channel pre-amp? He could grab an old Yamaha receiver with pre-outs. They aren't much on craigs or ebay.

 

[mibson]

I will not repair the Arcam if its broken, I will get an Emotiva Preamp perhaps, or maybe get an old receiver, but I did get a few hours of use in with no problems. The problem is my stereo budget is all used up for 12 months...

Id be surprised if just removing the power bars was the issue, but no problems at this point....

With the in-laws gone today, I will be using the system all evening and Ill get to find out if it is working properly...

 

[mibson]

Problem solved?

since removing my cheep power bars( $5 from wallmart) and replacing them with high current extension cords, I have not had the problem happen again!

Ive used the system for a good 5 hrs now with no preamp shut offs. I will say Im VERY happy with the UPA-2, assuming I dont have a problem with it soon, I will definitely consider getting their cd player, preamp, and perhaps a XPA-2 also...

 

[KEW]

Glad to hear it worked out to be a essentially free fix!
Amazing that the Arcam would shut off even with no music playing.
The obvious thought is that the power strip was starving the Arcam for current, but it is hard to see why it would have much demand without playing music. The UPA has a good high current design, capable of pulling a lot from upstream, but again, without playing music?
It sounds like the Arcam does a good job of keeping you honest. Don't be too quick to discount it. It is far better to have a pre that trips off when things are not right than one that lets you be fat, dumb, and happy while your gear is starving for current!
I just looked up the Xeta2 and it shows as an integrated amp being introduced in 1998, retailing for $1200 and currently selling used for $390. That putss it in pretty good company. I assume the amp section is dead?

 

[mibson]

The Amps on the arcam are fine, but they are for center and surrounds only , and I dont have speakers hooked up YET. I do have some old PSB speakers and I thought I might try hooking one up to use as a center channel. And some paradigm atoms for surrounds...But,

The Arcam is only dolby prologic, and Im still trying to research what that means for me, if I use dvds and/or blurays with it....I think prologic was mono for the rear surrounds...

Any thoughts?

Note regarding my preamp shutting off problems: I was using either a portable cd player (walkman type) or a 22 year old sony cd player when having trouble with the preamp shutting off; now I have a newer sony dvd/cd player in use; I think it is very likely that this could also have been the cause of my problems. (what makes it more confusing though is that at first when I had my newer sony dvd/cd player in use the preamp still shut off - this is before removing the powerbars). Even MORE confusing, when I was using power bars, I used two, one for the UPA-2 one for the Arcam, plugged into separate outlets (not sure if they were separate circuits)

Tough to figure out what was going on for sure....

 

[KEW]

Someone else will have to help you with the HT specs.

 

[JerryLove]

There's a long explanation that could be given... but I don't want to type. My recommendation is to scour ebay and craigs and find a cheap 5.1 avr to replace your pro-logic unit.

 

[PENG]

I used two, one for the UPA-2 one for the Arcam, plugged into separate outlets (not sure if they were separate circuits)

Tough to figure out what was going on for sure....

My guess, just guessing, is that they are on the same circuit if they are close to each other. There is an outside chance that the power bar the Arcam was plugged in to is defective. That might have resulted in a significant voltage drop and the Arcam may have some sort of protective circuit in it that is affected by a much lower voltage, causing it to shutdown. I would rule out overcurrent being an issue based on your observations.

If you are curious enough you can try using the power bar on the Arcam again but make sure you use the one that worked with the UPA-2, and see if it would shutdown or not.

 

[mibson]

If you are curious enough you can try using the power bar on the Arcam again but make sure you use the one that worked with the UPA-2, and see if it would shutdown or not.

This is a good idea, however I have 10 hrs on the system with no shut down problems, and last night I enjoyed Tears of The Sun in bluray. Wow cool movie, great sound. It was in 2.0 , but still was amazing.

So if I have dvds/or blurays in 5.1 DTS(using my ps3), and Im using this older prologic amp; I want to make the system just 3.0 for now. Will adding a center channel, using the Arcam Prologic amp, allow me to get proper center channel sound?
Note: Since the prologic amp does not have digital inputs, Ill be using a RCA input from the ps3

 

[anamorphic96]

This is a good idea, however I have 10 hrs on the system with no shut down problems, and last night I enjoyed Tears of The Sun in bluray. Wow cool movie, great sound. It was in 2.0 , but still was amazing.

So if I have dvds/or blurays in 5.1 DTS(using my ps3), and Im using this older prologic amp; I want to make the system just 3.0 for now. Will adding a center channel, using the Arcam Prologic amp, allow me to get proper center channel sound?
Note: Since the prologic amp does not have digital inputs, Ill be using a RCA input from the ps3

Unless you plan on using the matching center channel I would stick to using 2.0 as any other center will cause the front stage to sound unbalanced. Keeping the three front speakers from the same series is one of most important things in HT audio. Its often referred to as timbre matching.

 

[mibson]

I have heard this before, but hearing voice was an issue a few times during a movie last night. You dont think using both of my old PSB speakers as a center would be ok?

Really 2.0 for music is my priority, but 3.0 for movies would be nice for now.

I certainly cant afford the matching center right now (PSB T8s for mains)

 

[JerryLove]

I have heard this before, but hearing voice was an issue a few times during a movie last night. You dont think using both of my old PSB speakers as a center would be ok?

Not to ask the obvious: but you did tell your AVR that no center was attached?

Though there's a healthy debate about localization: I can't think of any reason 2.0 would make voices hard to hear (other than an AVR thinking that there was a center and so not sending dialog to the L/R units).

As to what would be acceptable: since you already have the PSBs, I cannot imagine any reason you wouldn't plug them in and find out what you think (just make sure to re-enable center)

 

[PENG]

This is a good idea, however I have 10 hrs on the system with no shut down problems, and last night I enjoyed Tears of The Sun in bluray. Wow cool movie, great sound. It was in 2.0 , but still was amazing.

I suggested you use the power bar that was previously used to power your amp just to find out if the other one was defective. After that you should remove that cheap power bar and plug the Arcam directly into the outlet.

So if I have dvds/or blurays in 5.1 DTS(using my ps3), and Im using this older prologic amp; I want to make the system just 3.0 for now. Will adding a center channel, using the Arcam Prologic amp, allow me to get proper center channel sound?
Note: Since the prologic amp does not have digital inputs, Ill be using a RCA input from the ps3

Please see Jerry's post for answer, I agree with him.

 

[BudgetHT]

Congrats mibson. I plan on picking one up as well. Sounds(and looks) like a great little amp.

 

[KEW]

Congrats mibson. I plan on picking one up as well. Sounds(and looks) like a great little amp.

It is a nice unit. The one caution I would give anyone considering it is that it is 17" deep and requires essentially 2.5" to 3" more clearance for the AC cord. If you have plans to set it atop a USP-1, you will find that the back feet will overhang the back of the USP-1.
Happily, the UPA-2 seems to run cool enough to allow placing equipment on top.

 

[mibson]

UPA-2 is amazing value

Now Ive had a good 20 hrs with no problems.

I did disable the center channel, and I am in "stereo" mode. I will try my older speakers for a center channel just to see how they sound but I have a feeling they wont even be close to keeping up with my new speakers, and that 2.0 is my best option for now...

I have a cheep $100 Sony cd/dvd player and a ps3. I did some blind comparisons last night. The ps3 does sound better, the cd/dvd player sounded like there was a piece of cardboard over the mouth of any vocalists.

I think my cd playing is a limiting factor for my sound quality. When playing music dvds on the ps3 the sound is great, when playing cds on the ps3 the sound is a bit harsh in the treble. As of now I don’t have a digital input on my preamp, and when I do I think this might help.

Im looking into getting a used receiver with HDMI input(s) to use as a preamp until I can get a good receiver or audio/video processor – perhaps the UMC-1. I would like to hear a bit more feedback about the UMC-1 before I purchase one.

I do think my speakers need more headroom in a power amp. The UPA-2 is amazing for the price but when I get it turned up loud there seems to be a loss of quality that I think is related to power lacking. I knew this would be the case however I didn’t have any budget left to get the XPA-2 at this time. I think the XPA-2 will do the trick after I save up for a while. The UPA-2 will work great for a bi-amped center channel in the future…

Summary:
- PS3 is not very good at playing cds when using the RCA analog outs…
- UPA-2 is amazing value, but not enough power for large speakers in a large room